Japan, considered the world's third largest economy, accepted 27 refugees last year, totaling 0.4 percent of all applications received, Deutche Welle reported Saturday, quoting justice ministry officials.

The ministry said it received a record 7,586 asylum applications in 2015, with the majority of the requests being made from Nepal, comprising 1,768 submissions.

Other countries included Indonesia with 969 refugee applications, Turkey with 926 asylum requests and Myanmar with 808 submissions.

Of the 27 refugees, only three out of the five Syrians that applied were granted asylum.

Other accepted applicants included six from Afghanistan, three Ethiopians and three Sri Lankans.

Despite by the remarkably low number compared to its allies Germany and the US, the Japanese justice ministry said the figure marked a significant increase from previous years.

In 2014, Japan granted asylum to 11 people, up from 2013, when it recognized six refugees.

Source: MENA